Bentley: Old boy Baker looking forward to facing Shrimps

Former Morecambe star Carl Baker in action for current club Coventry against Arlesey Town in the FA Cup first round.

Jim Bentley has revealed he received text messages from former team mate Carl Baker when his Morecambe side were paired with Coventry City in the FA Cup.

The Shrimps will travel to the Ricoh Arena in the second round after seeing off Rochdale 1-0 in Tuesday night’s first round replay at Spotland.

And Bentley said Baker, who became Morecambe’s record signing back in the summer of 2007, was looking forward to lining up against his former side.

“I got a few texts off Carl Baker when the draw was made,” said Bentley.

“I keep in touch with him, he’s a great lad. He’s captain there at the minute and he said if we get through it will be great to see you all again and I’m sure he’s looking forward to it.”

But the Morecambe boss said his main focus was upsetting the League 1 side and getting into the hat for the third round and a possible clash against a Premier League side.

Bentley said: “For our fans to go to Coventry it’s a lovely stadium and there’s no pressure on us away from home.

“They are the favourites but there are always banana skins in every round and I’m just making sure our lads are recovered and ready for Gillingham on Saturday and when the cup comes back round we can throw that banana skin under Coventry and get through to the third round and get amongst the big boys.”